Artist: Neil Celani
Neil Celani, COLORADO
View Artist's Products
Three and half years ago I built a soda kiln at my studio, The Clay Center of Northern Colorado. Since then, my aesthetic has continued to slowly evolve towards the atmospheric fired ceramic surface. What concerns me most now is creating a sense of authenticity and honest expression in my work by adapting an artistic and aesthetic orientation to life. The main elements of my current soda explorations are proportion, pattern, and texture. The cylinder is the foundation of all wheel thrown vessels, and I use this strong and beautiful shape as the backbone of my forms. I focus on details that compliment the soda firing process and enhance the surface in unique and interesting ways. I develop new ideas through the inspiration of repetition and daily practice. By paying close attention to details throughout the process I’m often led down a new path of discovery.
EDUCATION
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
Bachelor of Arts, Emphasis in Ceramics, 2007
WORK/TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2009-Present The Clay Center of Northern Colorado; Resident Artist, Studio Manager, Instructor, Greeley, CO
2016 Guest Artist, Ceramic Studio, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
2015 Advanced Soda Workshop, Clay Center of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
2014-Present Advanced Ceramics, Northern Colorado Potters Guild, Fort Collins, CO
2013 Advanced Soda Workshop, Clay Center of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
2008- 2012 Advanced Throwing Classes, City Park Pottery Studio, Fort Collins, CO
2009 Wheel Throwing Workshop, Poudre High School, Fort Collins, CO
EXHIBITIONS
Juried Shows
2016 Irons in the Fire, Juried by Justin Rothshank, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
2016 Working Pots, Juried by Simon Levin, James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
2016 6th Contemporary Clay, Juried by Steve Hilton, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO
2016 delecTABLE:The Fine Art of Dining, Juried by Pete Beasecker, Art Student League, Denver, CO
2016 Drink Me: A Cup Show, Juried by Sebastian Moh, UNC Mariani Gallery, Greeley, CO
2016 Last Call, Juried by Matt Schiemann, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
2015 Holiday Art Market, Foothills Art Center, Golden CO
2013 Elements, Juried by Lorna Meaden, UNC Mariani Gallery, Greeley,CO
2013 Mugshots, Juried by Eddie Dominguez, Lux Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
2012 4th Contemporary Clay, Juried by Brad Miller, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO
2012 Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery, Featured Artist, Boulder
2010-2015 Arvada Center Art Market, Arvada Center, Arvada, CO
2012 delecTable, Juried by Nick Joerling, Art Student League, Denver, CO
2011 Colorado Clay Exhibition, Juried by Jonathan Kaplan, Plinth Gallery, Denver
2011 Memorial Day Show, Pinon Hill Pottery, La Veta, Colorado
2011 Clay Continuum VI, Juried by Nancy Utterback, Space Gallery, La Veta,CO
2011 100 Teapots V, Juried by Nick Joerling, Baltimore, Maryland
2010 Clay Continuum V, Juried by Sumi Von Dassow, La Veta Space Gallery
2010 3rd Contemporary Clay, Juried by Pete Pinnell, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO
2009 Mugs Bowls and Casseroles, Lincoln Center Gallery, Fort Collins, Colorado
2006 Form and Function Solo Exhibition, University of Northern Colorado Fine Art Gallery, Greeley, Colorado
Invitational Shows
2017 Functional Ceramics, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, OH
2016 40 Years Past, Present and Future, Arvada Center, Arvada, CO
2015 Expressions in Clay, Curated by Barbara Hoffman, Tointon Gallery, Greeley, CO
2015 Gift of Art, Space Gallery, La Veta, Colorado
2013 Return to the Earth, Coloradical Gallery, Denver, CO
2011 Opiate, Grand Opening Show, Fort Collins, CO
2011 Memorial Day Show, Featured Artist, Pinon Hill Pottery, La Veta, Colorado
2010 Tea Party, Arvada Ceramics Guild, Arvada, Colorado
2009 Gift, Andenken Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2008 Product, Andenken Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2008- 2009 Guest Artist, The Gallery Underground, Fort Collins, Colorado
AWARDS AND COLLECTIONS
2016 Best Mastery of Technique, delecTable, Juried and Awarded by Peter Beasecker, Art Student League, Denver, CO
2016 Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist
2013 Best in Show, Elements, Juried by Lorna Meaden, UNC Mariani Gallery, Greeley
2011 Second Place Functional, Juried by Nancy Utterback, Space Gallery, La Veta, CO
2010 Second Place Functional, Juried by Sumi von Dassow, Space Gallery, La Veta, CO
CURRENT REPRESENTATION
2016-Present Plinth Gallery, Denver, CO
2015-Present Earthen Vessel, Durango, CO
2012-Present Pottery Studio Gallery, Littleton, Colorado
2011-Present Pinon Hill Pottery, La Veta, Colorado
2010- Present Grand Lake Art Gallery, Grand Lake, Colorado
2009-Present Trimble Court Artisans, Fort Collins, Colorado
-Featured Artist Fall 2010/2013/2015
2006-Present Madison and Main Gallery, Greeley, Colorado
COMMUNITY EVENTS
2005-2017 SS Kids Soup Bowl Fundraiser, Greeley, CO
2013 Clay Center Chili Cook-off Fundraiser, Greeley, CO
2010-15 Public Demonstrations, Arts Picnic, Greeley, CO
2010 Public Demonstrations, New West Fest Creative Garden, Fort Collins, CO
2010 Leukemia Lymphoma Fundraiser Ceramic Sale, Fort Collins, CO
2008-2010 Empty Bowls Fundraiser, Fort Collins, CO
2006-2010 Clayfest Potters Games, Manitou Springs, CO
2005 Organized Red Cross Pottery Sale Fundraiser, Greeley CO